We’ve been snuggling up in cozy coats and scarves all winter to beat these winter blues. The upside? That faux fur trim on your puffer jacket or your fuzzy infinity scarf keeps you extra warm. The downside? We wash these items less frequently than we should. After wearing them day in and day out without a regular wash, you start to realize that they’re not quite as fresh as they were at the beginning of the season. You’ve worn them through a stuffy cold, sledding or skiing (and you sweat doing that!), or glammed up for holiday parties. We’re only part way through winter, and we’ve got a ways to go before we can pack these items away. Now what?
First, Check the Label
Some garments recommend dry cleaning to keep the faux fur looking its best, while other items can be cleaned easily at home.
The easiest types to clean at home are short in length or looped. You can wash these in a washing machine on cool water with a mild, color safe detergent. Place the garment in the washer and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. To avoid too much agitation we recommend switching to the rinse cycle. If you think the garment needs an extra rinse you can set it on the rinse cycle one more time.
Longer haired faux fur is easily matted or knotted. These items should be hand washed in cool water with a gentle detergent to avoid as much agitation and heat as possible.
Never Put Faux Fur in the Dryer!
High heat can melt the faux fur fibers and cause knotting and matting. There’s not much you can do to repair this. Instead, lay the items flat on a towel, use an indoor drying rack, or hang on your shower rod to dry. Reposition often so that the fur stays fluffy, and smooth out the fur so it doesn’t get knotted. Drying can take from 24 – 48 hours depending on the garment. Once it’s dry, you can give the faux fur an extra fluff by brushing gently with a soft bristle brush.
Ta da! Now you can rock it all winter long!
